Home cleaning and maintenance is an essential rite of spring, like adjusting your clocks one hour ahead. Preparing a checklist for spring cleaning puts you in a forward-thinking mode, letting you both enjoy your home in the present and enhance its future resale value.

The GutterBrush Guys hope that the following ideas help you get started with both your outdoor and indoor spring cleaning.

OUTDOORS

• Roof: Check for any damage incurred during the winter season, such as loose, broken or missing shingles. Arrange for a roofing professional to perform a thorough inspection and make any necessary repairs.
• Gutters and downspouts: Remove any leaves, dirt and debris left over from winter. Make sure that water drains away from your home to protect the foundation.
• Siding and foundation: Repair any broken masonry or lifting siding. Fill in or caulk any areas where insects could get inside the house to nest. Power-wash siding yourself or hire a professional to give it a thorough cleaning.
• External water taps: Hook up the garden hose and turn on the tap to make sure everything’s running properly and to check the water pressure.
• Outdoor lighting and landscaping: Test all outdoor light fixtures and replace light bulbs. Sweep away winter debris and dead leaves. Rake the ground (take care around newly sprouted plants and flowers) to aerate the soil. Prune shrubs and tree branches as needed.
• Porches and decks: Check for peeling paint, broken masonry and splintering or rotting boards. Rent a power washer for a thorough cleaning. Apply sealant, re-stain or re-paint as needed. Bring out and clean patio furniture.

INDOORS

• Windows and doors: Wash the windows until they sparkle and replace storms with screens.
• Air conditioners and humidifiers: Install individual room air conditioners or, if you have central air conditioning, hire a professional to clean and service it. Test all equipment to make sure it’s running smoothly. Turn off all humidifiers.
• Air ducts and vents: Vacuum your air vents to keep them clear of dust and debris. Consider hiring a professional to thoroughly clean your air ducts.
• Faucets and plumbing: Check for any leaking pipes or dripping faucets and have them repaired or replace washers where necessary. Remove calcium deposits from faucets and showerheads.
• Cabinetry and drawers: Tighten loose knobs and wobbly doors. Repair or sand down drawers that stick.
• Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors: Test to ensure all detectors are operating properly and replace all batteries.
• Kitchen and medicine cabinets: Take inventory and discard any canned, jarred or packaged goods and medications that are past their expiration dates.
• Mattresses: Rotate and flip your mattresses to help prevent sagging and increase their life span.
• Rugs and carpets: Send area rugs out to be dry-cleaned. Have carpets cleaned professionally or rent a machine and do it yourself.
• Clothing: Pack away winter clothing and dig your summer clothes out of storage. This is also a perfect opportunity to prune your wardrobe. Get rid of items you haven’t worn in the last three years. Donate them to charity or organize a neighborhood yard sale.
• China, glassware and silverware: Set aside half a day to clean, wash and polish those unused dishes and glasses that have been sitting on shelves collecting dust.

Spend some time cleaning now and you will be able to enjoy a carefree spring and summer!